Someone asked me recently what curriculum I thought was needed for a preschooler. They were ready to start formal schooling with their little boy who was almost four. You don't normally hear of almost four year old boys who are ready to sit down and learn from curriculum. They would much rather learn by doing. So, I gave her some ideas of what my boys liked to do when they were little.

I mainly emphasized that if she was a good momma who was involved in her son's everyday life and read a lot of good books to him and captured bugs with him and grew plants with him and played legos with him, and built blocks with him and counted beans with him, that he would do just fine in life and schooling. Look for shapes together, go on nature walks and draw things you see, make letters together out of clay. Let them help wash dishes and cook dinner, set and decorate the table and cut strips of paper. They don't need formal schooling - they need to be home with you where they belong.

On the other hand, there is my little Mercy girl. I just could hug and squeeze her all day. She is 4 years old and is compliant, studious, quiet, has a contagious little laugh, and is just a delight to be with. But she is definitely not like that boy who learns by doing. She is a little writer already. At three, she was writing her own name and asking to be taught all the letters. Now, she writes everything. Pen and paper are her passion. She loves workbooks.Today she wrote all the names of Adam's sons through to Noah from a chart we have. She does word searches even though she doesn't read yet, but just loves the order of letters and trying to find just the right ones in their order. Her older brothers look on in amazement., then with sticks for swords, run off to conquer their next victim outside.

I will start teaching her to read this school year along with her seven year old brother -  I wonder who will catch on first? :) The beauty of homeschooling is that it allows your child to learn when they are ready. And believe me, they are learning so much at this age without you ever formally "teaching" them anything.   When pouring into their lives in this way,  we are teaching them that we love them and know them and are doing what is best for them - and they are learning because learning comes naturally with just being a preschooler.

They couldn't learn a thing  outside the home (except for all the propoganda aimed at our little ones) that they can't learn from you at home and at their own pace. Of all age groups that belong at home, remember your little preschoolers and their definite and marked need for being close to their parents and family. Please, keep them Home Where They Belong.

Deborah

I have picked a winner for the "Homeschool Hero" contest and it is: Mommy2myBlessings!! See her entry here - And, to all who entered the contest, email senioreditor@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com for something special.

Comments

Aug. 21, 2007 - Very true!

Posted by ReviewsbyHeidi

Your Mercy sounds much like my Gracie at that age. She was bound and determined to learn to read and had no time to be taught~ she just did it on her own. That's the way she is to this day (she's now 7 and in 3rd grade).
Boys are different though, as I'm finding out with the addition of Ian to our family. Somedays I look at him and wonder how this older and more tired mama will ever make it through! LOL
Heidi

- Home Where They Belong

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